Visit Old Alder Before it Vanishes…Again
0605, 2019

Visit Old Alder Before it Vanishes…Again

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The term “ghost town” in today’s time has evolved from its more literal interpretation to describe any small town that has been abandoned or vacated. In fact, there’s a whole culture of folks dedicated to discovering and exploring ghost towns and their history. Most of the time, however, towns devoid of inhabitants have nowhere to grow but older. Not so for old Alder. Join your fearless field guide Erich Ebel

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Get back to nature at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
2106, 2018

Get back to nature at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

This story begins in the majestically-forested foothills near Mount Rainier. Dr. David and Connie Hellyer purchased land there in 1937, and lived on it for over 40 years. In 1971, the Hellyers donated their land to the Tacoma Metropolitan Parks District, with the explicit intent to create a conservation habitat that the public could enjoy. After four years of diligent fundraising and planning, Northwest Trek officially opened its doors on July 17, 1975.

Northwest Trek: Experience Washington’s wildlife in the outdoors
2304, 2014

Northwest Trek: Experience Washington’s wildlife in the outdoors

In a split second, I knew it was a bald eagle as it shot by about ten feet overhead. I had never been that close to one in flight before. The unmistakable white markings, yellow beak and talons and gargantuan wingspan that easily distinguished it from the more common ravens and falcons in Ocean Shores were clearly visible just before it disappeared over the roofline as quickly as it had materialized.

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2303, 2010

Road to Rainier

I had the pleasure of taking my son, Parker, to Mt. Rainier National Park on Sunday…well, at least to the gate. Wait…let me tell the whole story from the beginning. Kelly had to work all day Sunday since the Senate wasn’t in session that day, so I got to stay home with Parker. Though she got to stay home with him all day Friday and Saturday while I was at

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